I first got on “the internet” back in 1993 when I was 13. I say “the internet” cause all I was doing was dialing into local BBSs with my high-tech 14.4kbs US Robotics Sportster modem. The BBS basically gave you access to newsgroups, play terrible command line games (which I never did), and use email. The main reason I would log on to the BBS was to get cheat codes and guides for video games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter II off alt.videogames.
Back then I didn’t know a single other person who was using BBSs and I can distinctly remember thinking at the time “who the hell needs an email account? who would they ever email?” It seems I was short-sighted as a teenage boy as twelve years later the internet had 1 billion people on it and I personally check 4 different email accounts.
A 14.4? Wow, you were lucky. I was on a 2400 and was ecstatic to move up to a 9600. Look at fancy pants with his fancy pants modem.
Same age, same story with BBSs, though in 1993 I still had 2400 baud and a yellow monochrome monitor. “Email? Chat? Why would I want to talk to anyone online?” File downloads and door games (LORD and Trade Wars 2002!) are all I need.
Bah… Global Wars was where it was at!
what prompted this walk down memory lane?
i guess i was a high roller with the 14.4. what prompted this post? i had mentioned this story to someone at work, that’s all.
Elite. That is the final word in gaming.
LORD was fun, but Barren Realms Elite was where it was at. Come on! I also had a 2400 baud modem, but upgraded to an external 14.4 sportster eventually. My firend would bring his modem over when we wanted to grab warez from all the warez boards he was on.